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Mike Downie

Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker | Co-Founder, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Downie, Mike Headshot 2025
Speaker Reel
Three Ways Secret Path Can Transform Us
Mike
Downie, Mike Headshot 2025
Speaker Reel
Three Ways Secret Path Can Transform Us

Mike Downie is a celebrated documentary filmmaker and philanthropist. Most recently, he directed and produced The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, a powerful exploration of the band’s legacy and its deep connection to Canada’s cultural identity. It premiered at TIFF 2024, where it won the prestigious People’s Choice Award for Documentary, and recently won seven Canadian Screen Awards. Downie is also the co-founder of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, the largest reconciliation fund in the country, and, along with his brother, Gord, created Secret Path, the groundbreaking multimedia project that tells the tragic story of Chanie Wenjack. Through his work and speaking engagements, he inspires audiences to embrace storytelling as a means of connection, change, and creating cultural identity.

Downie’s work has earned multiple Canadian Screen Awards, including the prestigious Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary. His other award-winning documentaries include Invasion of the Brain Snatchers, The Hockey Nomad, One Ocean, and The Covid Cruise, all of which showcase his ability to tell compelling, wide-ranging stories.

Downie’s keynotes weave personal storytelling with powerful insights, drawing from his experiences growing up in a small town, working in a northern mine, and traveling the world as a filmmaker. His talks resonate with audiences looking for inspiration, authenticity, and a deeper understanding of the stories that shape us.

With a background spanning science, economics, and adventure — including time as a deep shaft miner, medical researcher, and windsurfing instructor — Downie brings a unique perspective to every stage. He holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Queen’s University, and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

  • Telling Canada’s Story

    For more than three decades, award-winning filmmaker Mike Downie has been exploring the power of story. His films have taken him across Canada and around the world. From powerful documentaries about music, nature, sports, and culture to films that uncover untold histories and celebrate unsung heroes, his work explores what makes a story resonate — and why storytelling matters.

    In his acclaimed recent film, No Dress Rehearsal, Downie examined how his brother Gord and The Tragically Hip built a deep and enduring connection with Canadians through their music. Through all his films, Downie has always returned to the same question: how do we tell Canada’s story?

    “Telling Canada’s Story” is a keynote about the power of storytelling — how it defines us, inspires us, and weaves together the fabric of our nation. Drawing on behind-the-scenes filmmaking experiences, Downie shares insights on what makes a story powerful, how leaders, creators, and communities can find their own voices, and why it’s more important today than ever before.

    This keynote is for anyone looking to make an impact — individuals, organizations, and businesses that want to connect with people on a deeper level. With personal stories, lessons from the field, and a call-to-action, Downie challenges audiences to think bigger about the narratives they shape and the legacy they leave behind.

  • Secret Path

    When Mike Downie first heard the story of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, it was like an arrow shot through his heart. Haunted by the story, he and his brother, musician Gord Downie, vowed to find a way to tell it to the world. The result was their multi-media project, consisting of a music album and a graphic novel and film (with artist Jeff Lemire), that has captured the hearts and minds of Canadians across the country.

    Using Chanie’s story as a starting point, Downie takes audiences through the dark chapter of residential schools in Canada, and helps people to understand the importance of reconciliation with history and the need for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together.

    Downie also explains his own journey on the “path”, explaining how undertaking the project has transformed him, and that “life’s most important moments are never a choice — they’re a force pushing you, and when you learn to trust the invisible hand on the small of your back, it will guide you into the great unknown.”

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Client reviews

  • Canadian Seed Grower’s Association

    Having Mike Downie speak at our recent 2025 Annual General Meeting was a truly unforgettable experience. His keynote, “What’s Your Story?” was powerful, emotional, deeply human, and delivered with sincerity, purpose, and heart. Mike’s message resonated deeply with our delegates, bringing many to their feet in a standing ovation.

    By weaving personal storytelling with a broader message about leadership and community, Mike struck a profound chord. He reminded us that every voice matters, and that now—more than ever—we need the courage to share our stories. For those of us in agriculture and the seed sector, his words were especially meaningful: our stories are the foundation of stronger communities and a better future.

    Mike was also a pleasure to work with—professional, punctual, gracious, and fully engaged. He came well-prepared, made a genuine effort to connect with delegates, and stayed after his talk to answer questions and chat one-on-one.

    Our members continue to talk about his presentation, with many calling it the highlight of the event. We would highly recommend Mike to any organization looking for a speaker who can connect on a human level, inspire action, and spark lasting, meaningful conversation.

  • Environics Analytics

    The ability to impart an idea, an outcome or a direction in order to influence an audience is a powerful skill. Mike Downie demonstrated his unique ability to captivate an audience with his own story. Blending humour, a lifetime of memories and the poignant message of reconciliation with this country’s indigenous people, Mike took us on a journey that helped us to understand the power not just in his own story, but in everyone’s story.

  • Doherty & Bryant Financial Strategists

    Your presentation was extremely meaningful to many of our attendees who have all contributed in different ways to shape this great country we proudly call home. Your speech about your family, life lessons and your current passion project sent us all away with the resolve to follow our true passions in life and to embrace what makes each of us different and unique. Judging by the fact that we ran out of books during the signing your words resonated quite deeply with all our guests. Mike, it was an absolute pleasure working with you.

  • T. E. Wealth

    The evening with Mike had a way of inspiring the audience to be their better self. It’s not a story that Canadians can read about in newspapers and magazines. He takes the deeply personal and invites you in to his/their story and doesn’t leave you out of it. Somehow he knows – it is your story too.
    Also worth noting: Mike is charming and responsive to work with and customized his talk so that all generations could relate to what he had to say. It was an evening our clients won’t soon forget.

  • Trillium Lakelands District School Board

    Mike Downie was wonderful. His message was powerful, heartfelt, interesting and inspiring. I know he resonated strongly with the audience. I am so glad that we had youth there as well to hear his message. All in all just a caring, compassionate and interesting human being. It was an honour to meet him and host him.

  • The Humanities Research Group, University of Windsor

    An absolutely captivating speaker and an excellent filmmaker. He was an absolutely wonderful guest.

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